Smart Batch Picking

Pick multiple orders at once in a single warehouse tour. SiltaFlow groups all the requested products by location, calculates the shortest route and guides you shelf by shelf — so you never go back to the same aisle.

Overview

Smart Batch Picking allows you to process multiple orders in the same picking round. Instead of walking through the warehouse one order at a time, the app collects all the orders in the queue, puts them together and shows you a single list sorted by location: "go to A-01-02, pick up 15 pieces of Product X for three different orders". Fewer journeys, same amount of work.

The form opens with the batch selection screen, where you see all available batches filterable by status. Tap a batch to enter the picking screen, where you find the optimized stop list and all the tools to complete the job.

Batch selection

When you open Smart Batch Picking you see the list of all picking batches. You can filter by state to quickly find what interests you:

• Draft — Batch created but not yet started. Ready to go.
• In Progress — Withdrawal partially completed. You can return and continue from where you left off.
• Completed — All products picked and batch validated on Odoo.
• Cancelled — Batch no longer active, visible only for history.

Tap a batch to open it directly on the withdrawal screen. The batch automatically switches to the "In Progress" status as soon as you scan the first product or change a quantity.

How grouping works

The heart of Smart Batch Picking is the automatic grouping of rows. When you open a batch, the app analyzes all included orders and groups together lines that are for the same product in the same warehouse location.

The result: instead of seeing 30 separate lines (5 per order, 6 orders), you see 8 stops, one per position. For each stop, the app tells you how many units to pick up in total and which orders will receive them — a detail you can expand by tapping the line.

Optimized route

Once the rows are grouped, the app calculates the optimal order in which to visit the warehouse locations. The strategy used is the so-called "serpentine": go along one corridor forward, the next one in reverse, the next one forward again — and so on. This way you never have to go back down the same corridor.

To work best, route optimization uses the numerical coordinates configured on the locations in Odoo. If coordinates are not configured, the app sorts stops alphabetically by location name — the result is still better than a random route, but less precise than serpentine.

Scanning and picking

On the withdrawal screen you will find the scanner always active at the top. Scan the barcode of the product you have in your hand: the app recognizes it, automatically opens the corresponding line and asks you to confirm the quantity and recipient orders.

If the barcode is not readable (damaged label, poor lighting), you can activate the flashlight or enter the code manually using the keyboard. The scanner supports all common formats: EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC, Code 128, QR Code and GS1-128.

Immediate feedback

With every scan you receive immediate feedback:

• Confirmation Card — An animated card appears in the center of the screen with the product name, location and quantity. It disappears on its own after a few seconds.
• Audio tone — Different sound for each situation: scan successful, product not found in batch, product already completely picked, mandatory batch missing.
• Progress Counter — A number overlaid on the scanner shows in real time how many products you have already completed out of the total.
• Scan History — The last 10 scans are shown at the bottom of the screen with the timestamp and outcome, so you can see what you've already taken.

Distribution to orders

After scanning a product, the distribution screen opens: here you see how to distribute the units just picked among all the orders in the batch that require them.

For each order you will find the requested quantity and a check mark to confirm the withdrawal. If you have withdrawn fewer units than expected, you can reduce the quantity by using the + and − keys on each row. For batch products, the integrated batch selector shows availability with expiry date.

Cluster Picking (Multi-Bin Cart)

Cluster Picking is an advanced mode that transforms your physical cart into a "virtual cart" with colored compartments. Each order in the batch is assigned to a bin with a different color — up to 10 orders at once. As you walk through the warehouse, you sort the products into the compartment of the correct color: at the end of the round, each compartment contains exactly the products of that order.

To activate Cluster Picking go to Settings → Warehouse → Cluster Picking.

Initial cart setup

When you open a batch in Cluster mode, the app asks you to assign a physical container (crate, box, or reusable package) to each bin. You can choose containers one by one or use the "Automatically assign all" button to speed up preparation.

• Touch — assign containers from the list on the screen.
• Scan — scan bubble and container for hands-free setup.

During the withdrawal

You scan the product barcode: the app displays the cart grid with the active compartment highlighted by a flashing border. Place the product in the indicated compartment. For batch products, the system automatically respects the expiration order (those expiring first are picked first).

For products without batch traceability, a 5-second countdown starts after scanning: if you do nothing, the bin is automatically confirmed. You can always confirm before the countdown by tapping the confirm button.

Reusable packages

If you use reusable containers (crates, euro-pallets), SiltaFlow automatically shows those available in stock. At the end of picking, from the Packaging Area section you can transfer the contents of each box to a shipping box without leaving the app.

Cluster setup and deposit confirmation

The setup mode decides how to associate each order with its container before starting the withdrawal.

With deposit confirmation active, the operator must scan the correct container after picking to reduce sorting errors.

Additional tools

Voice Picking

With voice picking you can confirm quantities by voice, without touching the screen. Voice input is automatically activated after each confirmed scan. Ideal if you work with gloves or in cold environments where the touchscreen is uncomfortable.

Electronic signature

If configured for the operation type in Odoo, the app requires the operator's digital signature before final validation of the batch. The signature is attached to the batch on Odoo and remains available for subsequent verification.

Photos and attachments

From the menu at the top right you can take a photo or attach an image from the gallery. Photos are uploaded directly to the batch in Odoo — useful for documenting discrepancies, damaged products, or problems discovered during picking.

Rejection of defective products

If you find damaged drives during picking, you can record the scrap directly from the app without returning to your computer. From the menu at the top right select "Product Scrap", enter the quantity and reason. Order lines are automatically rebalanced.

Real-time synchronization

During picking, SiltaFlow remains synchronized with Odoo in real time. If a colleague makes changes to the batch from their computer (for example, changes a quantity or cancels a row), you receive an immediate notification in the app with a banner inviting you to refresh your view.

This is especially useful in multi-operator warehouses where multiple people work on the same batch or linked batches.

Practical examples

Example 1 — Standard batch

1. Open Smart Batch Picking and tap the batch "BATCH/2024/0042" in Draft status. The app automatically groups 34 lines of 12 orders into 9 stops per location.
2. The route starts from corridor A (moving forward), then corridor B (going back), then corridor C (moving forward). Each corridor is walked only once.
3. At the first stop A-01-03, you scan the product barcode. The confirmation card shows "Product X — 8 pcs". The progress counter changes to "1/9".
4. Distribution opens: allocate 5 pcs to order SO001 and 3 pcs to order SO003. Check both lines. The progress bar rises to 11%.
5. Complete the remaining 8 stops. The app requires signature before validating the batch on Odoo.

Example 2 — Cluster Picking with 5 orders

1. Enable Cluster Picking in the settings. Open the batch of 5 orders: 5 colored compartments are created (red, blue, green, orange, purple).
2. Tap "Assign all automatically": the first 5 free cassettes are assigned to bins in one tap.
3. At the first product with multiple lots, the system guides you to collect those with the closest expiration first. The active compartment (blue, flashing border) indicates where to put the drives.
4. For the product without batch "48mm Adhesive Tape", the scan starts the countdown: 5 seconds and the bin is automatically confirmed.
5. At the end of picking, from the Packaging Area, transfer the contents of each box to the corresponding shipping box.

Example 3 — Product found damaged

1. During the collection you find 3 damaged units of "Product Y" (5 were needed).
2. From the top right menu select "Product Scrap", enter 3 as quantity and the reason "Damaged".
3. In the distribution you set 2 pieces (the undamaged units) and tick the line. Orders are automatically rebalanced.
4. Take a photo of the damaged area and attach it to the batch. The photo is immediately visible in Odoo.

Tips

Requirements

To use Smart Batch Picking you need:

• Odoo 16 or higher with the Inventory module active and picking batches enabled
• Active internet connection during picking (required for real-time synchronization)
• Android 10 or higher device
• Rear camera working for scanning (alternatively: barcode gun Zebra with DataWedge)
• For voice picking: microphone and internet connection allowed (voice recognition does not work offline)
• For Cluster Picking: orders with distinct physical destinations to exploit the multi-compartment flow
• For automatic sorting by expiration: lots Odoo with expiry date filled in